Great Lakes Bay
Summer Exhibition 2024
Public art plays a pivotal role in fostering vibrant and thriving communities. Whether through interactive installations, mural painting events, or sculpture gardens, public art invites residents and tourists alike to actively engage with a community. It celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity by showcasing various artistic styles, traditions, and narratives. Public art has the power to bring people together and foster social cohesion and connections.
Working with community partners in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region (specifically Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties), Public Art Passport serves tourists and residents alike through temporary art exhibitions in each county and at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, as well as on an ongoing basis through the interactive PublicArtPassport.com web portal.
Working with community partners in Michigan’s Great Lakes Bay Region (specifically Bay, Midland, and Saginaw Counties), Public Art Passport serves tourists and residents alike through temporary art exhibitions in each county and at the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, located on the campus of Saginaw Valley State University, as well as on an ongoing basis through the interactive PublicArtPassport.com web portal.
Great Lakes GuardianARTIST: Gary Kulak
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Painted Steel ABOUT: Born in Pittsburgh, I received my BFA from Cranbrook Art Academy in 1975. I began exhibiting in New York in 1980 and attended Hunter College receiving my MFA in 1983. I was studio assistant for Lyman Kipp and fabrication manager for Alice Aycock before returning to Detroit in 1985. I taught at the University of Toledo and EMU until 1992 and served as artist in residence/faculty at Cranbrook-Kingswood from 2005-2020. I produced several large-scale public works nationally. I have collaborated on architectural projects and began working with digital design in 1990 and robotic carving in 2016. LOCATION: Wenonah Park, 111 Center Ave, Bay City, MI 48708 |
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ARTIST: Lois Teicher
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Metal ABOUT: My journey as an artist has led me to search and understand the fundamental structure of the Universe. As I evolved as an artist I became aware of basic essential concepts, such as the existence of Time/Space continuum, and the relationship between shape and space, space and shape. Simultaneously other basic essential ideas are at play, such as duality held in dynamic tension, motion and energy. These ideas are interpreted and restated into three dimensional forms. Themes used in my work flow directly from my search to understand and connect to the universal. My intention with both avenues of expression, i.e. public and private sculpture, is to express ideas in the visual language, hoping that the viewer would notice, reflect upon, become aware of, and share in the experience. LOCATION: Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710 |
Steel Series #5ARTIST: Michael Barker
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Steel ABOUT: Creating art for me is a way to express my thoughts on a piece. What is most important in my work is that it appears and is 100 % correct. One of the key elements in sculpture is the surface of the piece. Like Isamu Noguchi or Henry Moore, the surface of my work plays a critical role in the statement of the form. I am playing the smooth surface against the negative space in my current “Life: Twists & Turns Series”. Although the negative space is small, it becomes powerful to the work. It is here the view can get a small insight of my thoughts. A piece of art in my mind must have a flow where it pulls you around the piece in every direction thus it always is intriguing to the viewer. In this series, I demonstrate movement with the twist in the neck vs. the twist in the torso, thus creating fluid movement throughout the piece as if it were alive. LOCATION: Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710 |
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Diversity ConversationARTIST: Ken Thompson
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Metal ABOUT: Ken Thompson holds a Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Siena Heights University, a Master of Liberal Studies in Sculpture from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting and printmaking from Siena Heights College (University), Adrian, Michigan. Ken has been making sculpture since 1978 out of a former car dealership now turned studio in Blissfield, Michigan. From this facility, he and his assistants also operate Flatlanders Sculpture Supply & Art Galleries and the Midwest Sculpture Initiative. Ken is well versed in bronze casting and metal fabrication but prefers stone carving. In addition to making large sculpture, Ken enjoys doing smaller scale work for gallery exhibitions. He has thirty-eight one person shows and numerous group exhibitions and many awards to his credit. LOCATION: Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710 |
Mending HeartARTIST: Michael Magnotta
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Steel ABOUT: Inspiration for my work comes from my life - my experiences and things I love - jazz, space, nature, and beauty in all its manifestations…My sculptures typically begin with a trip to the metal yard. There, among the industrial detritus, I gather my palette, much as a painter chooses their paints. From the shapes and textures I rescue, a conversation takes place - a visual conversation - that results in the three dimensional work comprising my sculptures. LOCATION: Saginaw Art Museum, 1126 N Michigan Ave, Saginaw, MI 48602 |
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Infinity AwakeningARTIST: Ray Katz
DATE: 2024 MEDIUM: Painted Steel ABOUT: My sculptures allude to an evolutionary process that we all commonly share in the human experience. The active forms that are brought together represent the flux of life, and embrace transformative concepts such as evolution, metamorphosis and transcendence. These ideas and concepts are what separate my work from the historical and industrial influences from which I draw my connections I have worked in many mediums, but metal has remained my passion and best suited for my work because of its strength, malleability, and inherent artistic beauty. My sculptures vary in scale from small pedestal work to life size or larger interactive compositions. My sculptures created over the last fifteen years are conducive for outdoor Installations and Public Sites. They often have open, transparent areas, in contrast to solid forms. They are poly formed as opposed to monolithic. I have developed the physical resources to construct my sculptures in my own studio. My creative process requires organizing separate parts into a whole. Initially much of this activity is spontaneous, both in large and small scale work. The elements are all fabricated individually then assembled by welding and bolting. The act of assembly and disassembly contribute to the ease of construction and installation and add to the aura of complexity in the work and is a part of my creative process. I have successfully installed large scale sculpture temporarily and permanently in public spaces. I have exhibited sculpture publicly and privately throughout the Mid-West, Mid-South and overseas in Paris, France and Tokyo, Japan. I have worked with Departments of Public Works, Engineers, Architects, Advisory Committee’s, and other forms of infrastructure to develop and install large-scale public sculpture in Art Parks, Communities, Universities and Colleges throughout the Mid-West, South. and West. I believe that Public Art transforms the way people look at visual phenomena in their environment. Whatever its form, Public Art attracts attention and effects people’s attitude toward their surroundings and often stimulates an exchange of ideas that can be enriching emotionally, intellectually and aesthetically. LOCATION: Downtown Saginaw, Morley Plaza, 133 N Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48607 |
Point of ViewARTIST: Pam Reithmeier
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Steel ABOUT: I love to see people interact with my sculptures. Whether it is a nod of the head, a smile, or having their picture taken with my pieces; it does not matter as long as there is a connection in some way between the sculpture and the viewer. I have found I am drawn to making sculptures inspired by nature and geometric patterns. I particularly enjoy the permanency and strength of steel and the mental and physical challenges that come with working in this medium. LOCATION: Frankenmuth Visitor and Welcome Center, 635 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI 48734 |
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GiraffeARTIST: David Smiczek
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Painted Steel ABOUT: David Smiczek was born in Toledo, OH and was raised in Minnesota, Michigan, and the Toledo area. He has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Cincinnati and has worked in the industry for 30 years. David became interested in sculpture after visiting Brookgreen Gardens in South Carolina in 2012. The gardens had the complete studio of the late sculptor Richard McDermott Miller and David drew inspiration from the lost wax process. David took sculpture and drawing classes and created his own foundry. He has had works displayed in Sculpture in the Village, Gibsonburg Ohio, the Way Public Library in Perrysburg Ohio, 20 North Gallery in Toledo Ohio and Chicago Sculpture Exhibit. David is currently the vice-president of the Toledo Area Sculptors Guild. LOCATION: Saginaw Children's Zoo, 1730 S Washington Ave, Saginaw, MI 48601 |
The ConversationARTIST: Mark Beltchenko
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: N/A ABOUT: Mark Beltchenko is a Detroit area sculptor that is highly skilled in multiple media. Equally comfortable working in stone, steel, bronze, wood and precious metals his work serves as a meditation on the good and bad in our current lives: the environment, political hypocrisy, positive growth, greed and human narcissism. Much of his work weaves layers upon another in stories through 3 dimensional pictographs. His imagery communicates in ways that are both primitive and profound; both sweeping and diminutive. Beltchenko is not a loud or verbose man but his work screams at us with dire urgency. That is not to say his work is obvious, rather, it is not. It requires effort. One must spend time with the work and breathe into it. You may not immediately recognize the discourse; however, allow yourself to linger and as one lingers the layers begin to unfold and reveal its meticulous detail and dialogue. It affects and changes you. Mark Beltchenko has shown in museums and galleries, executed commissions for colleges, churches, corporations, casinos, and municipalities. In addition to producing his own bodies of work he has participated in visiting artist programs and workshops. Mark also creates one of a kind precious metal jewelry for which he has won numerous design awards. LOCATION: The Jefferson Project, 409 1st Street, Bay City, MI 48706 |
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Moon Pearl InfinityARTIST: Plamen Yordanov
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Metal ABOUT: Yordanov graduated the National Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia with MFA in painting. Specialized in Como, Italy, Antonio Ratti Foundation, the Advanced Course in Visual Arts with Prof. Joseph Kosuth and in Salzburg, Austria, Public Arts with Prof. Agnes Denes. Founder of Chicago Art Center in 2007 and Museum of Modern Art Chicago in 2008 as a conceptual opposition to the institutionalization of art. Participated in more than 100 exhibitions in Europe and America. LOCATION: Saginaw Valley State University, 7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710 |
Be Still and Know VIARTIST: John Merigian
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Steel ABOUT: In my artistic exploration, I am deeply fascinated by the intricate web of relationships that bind us together. I often find myself drawn to compositions featuring multiple figures, carefully choreographed within the space they inhabit. While my figures may appear simple at first glance, they convey a depth of emotion ranging from introspective contemplation to playful joy. I find complexity in the interplay between space, lines, and shadows, as well as the relationships that emerge among my sculpted characters. My larger sculptures are crafted specifically for outdoor installation, where the movement of the sun throughout the day creates ever-changing patterns of light and shadow. The presence of snow further enhances the geometric elements of my work, adding another dimension to the viewer’s experience. Some of my most fulfilling projects have been site-responsive sculptures, where I collaborate closely with the community and environment to create pieces that seamlessly integrate into their surroundings. LOCATION: The H Hotel, 111 W Main St, Midland, MI 48640 |
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SunflowerARTIST: Fritz Olsen
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Marble ABOUT: Traded his studio on Goose Island in Chicago for the rural countryside of Sawyer, Michigan. He works in a beautifully restored 1930's Azalia nursery just off the shores of Lake Michigan and exhibits his sculptures in his Gallery and Sculpture Gardens. For Thirty nine years he has been creating sculptures in stone, bronze and steel. His works can be found in public, private, and corporate collections across the United States. Sunflowers symbolize unwavering faith and constant orientation toward the light. This is why they are often associated with positivity, happiness, and optimism. LOCATION: Dow Gardens, 1809 Eastman Ave, Midland, MI 48640 |
Roller SnakeARTIST: Todd Kime
DATE: N/A MEDIUM: Assemblage ABOUT: LOCATION: Dow Diamond, 825 E Main St, Midland, MI 48640 |
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Sponsored By:
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The Jury Foundation
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